Mallinckrodt Aims to Thwart Teen Prescription Pill Abuse

Mallinckrodt, the pharmaceuticals business of Covidien based in the City of Hazelwood has began an effort to stop teenagers from abusing the products it produces locally.

The company joined The Partnership at Drugfree.org in launching The Medicine Abuse Project. The Partnership is a multi-year effort to raise awareness and curb the abuse of prescription medicine by teens and young adults.

The campaign aims to prevent half a million teens from abusing such medications throughout the next five years.

“The abuse of prescription medications is a serious problem and requires strong partnerships and innovative approaches to combat it,” said Mark Trudeau, Mallinckrodt's president, in a statement. “As an advocate for awareness and education, we are proud to have been one of the first partners to team up with The Partnership at Drugfree.org to help bring attention to this vital issue.”

Medicine abuse affects one in six teens in the United States, according to The Partnership at Drugfree.org.

The Medicine Abuse Project has a calls-to-action for parents, healthcare providers and others to take the pledge to learn about medicine abuse, safeguard medicines and educate teens about the issue.

“The majority of teens who abuse medicines get them from family and friends,” said Steve Pasierb, President and CEO of The Partnership at Drugfree.org. “We need to change that.

"With the support of partners like Mallinckrodt, physicians, parents and teens themselves will be more aware of the dangers of medicine abuse.”

The project will be an extension of Mallinckrodt's efforts to ensure patient safety, according to the company, which in 2010 launched the C.A.R.E.S. (Collaborating and Acting Responsibly to Ensure Safety) Alliance.

It's a coalition of patient, provider and community organizations that provide tools and resources to support responsible prescribing, and safe and appropriate use, of prescription pain medications.